Chair’s Annual Report: 9th May 2024 – 8th May 2025

It has been another meaningful and active year for the Altrincham Interfaith Group
(AIG), as we continued our mission to build bridges between faith communities,
encourage mutual understanding, and stand together for peace and justice. Our
programme of events has been rich and diverse, involving thoughtful dialogue,
uplifting spiritual encounters, and moments of remembrance, education, and joy.
On 19th May 2024, over 70 attendees gathered at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic
College for an Interfaith Afternoon Tea, celebrating unity across faiths. Guest speaker Dr Mona Dillon of the Baha’i community delivered a powerful talk on shared spiritual values, while Deputy Lieutenant Karen Wilson commended King Charles III’s vision and AIG’s role in fostering interfaith harmony.
On 15th September, around 20 members visited the Manchester Jewish Museum, gaining valuable insights into the local Jewish community’s history through artefacts, testimonies, and exhibits—deepening our appreciation of the region’s diverse heritage.
The Alf Keeling Memorial Lecture on 12th November featured Dr James Holt, who explored creation stories from various faiths, highlighting shared themes of unity,
stewardship, and interconnectedness, followed by refreshments and an engaging Q&A.
On 23rd February 2025, our first post-COVID Grand Quiz expertly hosted by John
Moran brought together around 40 people of different faiths for an evening of fun, learning, and community spirit at Holy Angels’ Parish Hall.
Throughout the year, we welcomed thought-provoking contributions at our committee
meetings, including from Michelle Moses, who introduced her interfaith children’s
charity Hello Buddy, and Rabbi Warren Elf, who briefed us on the Trafford Faith
Action Network and Greater Manchester Faith Covenant. Additionally, committee
members engaged with local MP Connor Rand, who expressed enthusiastic support
for our interfaith work during a Teams meeting.
We continue to participate in wider civic and commemorative events, including
Holocaust Memorial Day and Remembrance Sunday services, where AIG members
laid wreaths in Hale and Altrincham and offered reflections. As always, our engagement reflected our commitment to peace, remembrance, and respect for all
communities.
This year also saw the continuation of our Friendship Circles, informal and
welcoming gatherings that allow people of all faiths to connect through conversation,
shared stories, and personal reflections. Despite an effort to rejuvenate and increase
the numbers we are down to one functioning group.
Sadly, we also marked the passing of two cherished AIG members. Cathy Pridgeon,
a stalwart representative of Timperley Churches Together, passed away on August
12th. Cathy’s quiet strength, steadfast loyalty, and willingness to help in every way
possible will be deeply missed. Her funeral was a testament to her interfaith legacy –
attended by a Welsh Muslim, Orthodox Jew, Unitarian, Catholic, Reform Jew, and
Asian Muslim, all united in their love and respect for Cathy. Michael Jackson, a
founding member and former Chair of AIG, passed away on October 2nd. Michael’s
deep spirituality, humour, and unwavering commitment to interfaith dialogue shaped
the foundation of AIG and touched many lives. He will be fondly remembered.
In terms of our internal developments, Carolyn Jones will be stepping down from her
post as Honorary Secretary. She has served with tireless dedication and meticulous
care in this role; her calm efficiency, commitment, and thoughtful contributions have
been invaluable to AIG, and she leaves with our deepest thanks and warmest
wishes. Mina Desai left the committee due to relocation, and we extend our gratitude
for her contribution, while Cedric Knipe had to leave the committee on health
grounds. Cedric has been a loyal committee member for many years and we will
miss his dedication in representing the AIG at many local meetings. We warmly
welcome Manjari Patel, representing the Jain community, to the committee, as well
as Maleeha Tayyab from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. We are also pleased to
welcome Councillor Eve Parker as the Trafford Council representative. The
committee has reviewed and updated our constitution this year to reflect our evolving
structure and priorities.
As we look ahead, our calendar continues with plans underway for our Afternoon
Tea event on 29 th June. We remain committed to fostering shared learning, building
relationships, and advocating for a compassionate, inclusive society.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful committee, supporters, speakers, and all
those who help behind the scenes. Your dedication ensures that AIG continues to
flourish as a force for good in our community.
With warm regards and enduring hope,
Elinor Chohan MBE DL
Chair, Altrincham Interfaith Group

Interfaith Visit

About 40 people from different faiths assembled in Holy Angels new Parish Hall for
the first AIG Quiz since COVID, and it proved to be a great success. We were
fortunate in having John Moran, from St Vincent’s Church, as Quizmaster as he had
prepared an excellent set of questions, and all the teams were very closely matched.
One or two faith-based questions popped up now and again, but mainly they were
based on general knowledge and it was a question of working together to figure out
the answers. There was also a page of questions on each table, to be puzzled over
during the course of the quiz, the answer to each being a colour, and that proved
very challenging indeed.
We are most grateful to John, to Holy Angels Church for the use of their excellent
Parish Hall and to all the members of AIG who worked to make the event possible.
Carolyn Jones
(Hon. Sec., Altrincham Interfaith Group)

This year’s lecture was entitled “Where did we come from? Questions and Answers
from Creation Stories” and delivered by Dr James Holt, Associate Professor of
Religious Education at the University of Chester and member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. The speaker was a specialist in world religions and
explained that in all the major religions there was always something there before the
universe as we know it was created, beyond time, while universes are constantly
created and destroyed. He then gave examples from various religious texts about
the nature of creation and showed that there are common themes in them all – that
from chaos came cosmos, from no-thing came some-thing. The use of stories to
explain this is central to who we are and helps us to understand the big picture –
they tell us what is important and give directions on how to lead our lives.
A common thread running through the major religions is the universal presence of
God and that humanity is one. He stressed how all creation is inter-related, and that
man is the steward of the earth, and there is no excuse for treating the earth
carelessly. We have a responsibility to care for all. This idea is very important to an
interfaith gathering, especially in times of political turmoil, and his message of the
unity of all beings was very appropriate.
There was a lively question and answer session following Dr Holt’s talk and, after he
was presented with a gift of appreciation, Elinor Chohan, Chair of AIG, thanked him
and people had the opportunity to mingle and chat while enjoying refreshments.
We are most grateful to Holy Angels for allowing us the use of their new Parish Hall
and to all those members of AIG who managed the refreshments and helped the
evening to run smoothly.
Carolyn Jones
(Hon. Sec., Altrincham Interfaith Group)